LOCAL IP ACCESS SCHEME

• US 20090268668A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Rezaiifar, Ramin, Agashe, Parag A., Wang, Jun, Ulupinar, Fatih, Tinnakornsrisuphap, Peerapol, Gupta, Rajarshi, Nasielski, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,856,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2889 Multiservice, e.g. MSAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/677 Multiple interfaces, e.g. multihomed nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/741 Routing in networks with a plurality of addressing schemes, e.g. with both IPv4 and IPv6
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/103 across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/082 for traffic bypassing of mobility servers, e.g. location registers, home PLMNs or home agents
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Local IP access is provided in a wireless network to facilitate access to one or more local services. In some implementations, different IP interfaces are used for accessing different services (e.g., local services and operator network services). A list that maps packet destinations to IP interfaces may be employed to determine which IP interface is to be used for sending a given packet. In some implementations an access point provides a proxy function (e.g., a proxy ARP function) for an access terminal. In some implementations an access point provides an agent function (e.g., a DHCP function) for an access terminal. NAT operations may be performed at an access point to enable the access terminal to access local services. In some aspects, an access point may determine whether to send a packet from an access terminal via a protocol tunnel based on the destination of the packet.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

selecting, at an access terminal, an Internet Protocol interface for sending a packet based on a destination of the packet and a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces, wherein a first Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a first stream that is terminated at an operator network and a second Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a second stream that is terminated at a serving access point for the access terminal; and

sending the packet from the access terminal to the destination via the selected Internet Protocol interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through the operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to the first Internet Protocol interface;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to the second IP interface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the serving access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is on the local network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the serving access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving the list and an address on a local network for the access terminal from the serving access point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in the list:

the packet destinations are indicated by subnetwork addresses; and

the Internet Protocol interfaces are indicated by Internet Protocol addresses.

7. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

an Internet Protocol interface selector configured to select, at an access terminal, an Internet Protocol interface for sending a packet based on a destination of the packet and a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces, wherein a first Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a first stream that is terminated at an operator network and a second Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a second stream that is terminated at a serving access point for the access terminal; and

a packet processor configured to send the packet from the access terminal to the destination via the selected Internet Protocol interface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through the operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to the first Internet Protocol interface;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to the second IP interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the serving access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is on the local network.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the serving access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein in the list:

the packet destinations are indicated by subnetwork addresses; and

the Internet Protocol interfaces are indicated by Internet Protocol addresses.

12. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for selecting, at an access terminal, an Internet Protocol interface for sending a packet based on a destination of the packet and a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces, wherein a first Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a first stream that is terminated at an operator network and a second Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a second stream that is terminated at a serving access point for the access terminal; and

means for sending the packet from the access terminal to the destination via the selected Internet Protocol interface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through the operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to the first Internet Protocol interface;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to the second IP interface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

the serving access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is on the local network.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

the serving access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein in the list:

the packet destinations are indicated by subnetwork addresses; and

the Internet Protocol interfaces are indicated by Internet Protocol addresses.

17. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

select, at an access terminal, an Internet Protocol interface for sending a packet based on a destination of the packet and a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces, wherein a first Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a first stream that is terminated at an operator network and a second Internet Protocol interface in the list is associated with a second stream that is terminated at a serving access point for the access terminal; and

send the packet from the access terminal to the destination via the selected Internet Protocol interface.

18. The computer-program product of claim 17, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through the operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to the first Internet Protocol interface;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to the second IP interface.

19. A method of communication, comprising:

providing, at an access point, a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces; and

sending the list from the access point to an access terminal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through an operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to a first Internet Protocol interface in the list;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to a second IP interface in the list.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving a packet from the access terminal; and

determining whether to send the packet via the first path or the second path based on whether the received packet is associated with the first Internet Protocol interface or the second Internet Protocol interface.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving a first packet associated with the first Internet Protocol interface from the access point;

sending the first packet to the network node via the operator network;

receiving a second packet associated with the second Internet Protocol interface from the access point; and

sending the second packet to the local node, without sending the packet through the operator network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the first packet is received via a first stream that is terminated at the operator network; and

the second packet is received via a second stream that is terminated at the access point.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is on the local network.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

receiving a packet associated with the second Internet Protocol interface from the access point; and

determining whether to send the received packet to the local node based on a destination address of the received packet.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving a packet associated with the second Internet Protocol interface from the access point; and

determining whether to send the received packet to the local node based on a destination address of the received packet.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein in the list:

the packet destinations are indicated by subnetwork addresses; and

the Internet Protocol interfaces are indicated by Internet Protocol addresses.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the access point is on a local network associated with a local router, the method further comprising:

obtaining an address on the local network for the access terminal from the local router; and

sending the address to the access terminal.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the access point is a femto node.

31. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a list provider configured to provide, at an access point, a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces; and

a transmitter configured to send the list from the access point to an access terminal.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through an operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to a first Internet Protocol interface in the list;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to a second IP interface in the list.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a packet processor configured to:

receive a packet from the access terminal; and

determine whether to send the packet via the first path or the second path based on whether the received packet is associated with the first Internet Protocol interface or the second Internet Protocol interface.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a packet processor configured to:

receive a first packet associated with the first Internet Protocol interface from the access point;

send the first packet to the network node via the operator network;

receive a second packet associated with the second Internet Protocol interface from the access point; and

send the second packet to the local node, without sending the packet through the operator network.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein:

the first packet is received via a first stream that is terminated at the operator network; and

the second packet is received via a second stream that is terminated at the access point.

36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is on the local network.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

38. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for providing, at an access point, a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces; and

means for sending the list from the access point to an access terminal.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through an operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to a first Internet Protocol interface in the list;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to a second IP interface in the list.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising packet processing means for:

receiving a packet from the access terminal; and

determining whether to send the packet via the first path or the second path based on whether the received packet is associated with the first Internet Protocol interface or the second Internet Protocol interface.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising packet processing means for:

receiving a first packet associated with the first Internet Protocol interface from the access point;

sending the first packet to the network node via the operator network;

receiving a second packet associated with the second Internet Protocol interface from the access point; and

sending the second packet to the local node, without sending the packet through the operator network.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein:

the first packet is received via a first stream that is terminated at the operator network; and

the second packet is received via a second stream that is terminated at the access point.

43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is on the local network.

44. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the local node is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

45. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

provide, at an access point, a list that maps packet destinations to Internet Protocol interfaces; and

send the list from the access point to an access terminal.

46. The computer-program product of claim 45, wherein:

a first one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a network node that is accessible via a first path through an operator network;

the list maps an address associated with the network node to a first Internet Protocol interface in the list;

a second one of the packet destinations in the list identifies a local node that is accessible via a second path that is not through the operator network; and

the list further maps an address associated with the local node to a second IP interface in the list.

47. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving a first packet and a second packet from an access terminal at an access point, wherein the first packet is associated with a first Internet Protocol interface, the second packet is associated with a second Internet Protocol interface, and the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with an Internet Protocol address assigned to the access terminal for a local network;

intercepting a packet directed to the local network Internet Protocol address; and

processing the intercepted packet on behalf of the access terminal.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the processing comprises routing the intercepted packet to the access terminal.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein:

the intercepted packet comprises an address resolution protocol message directed to the local network Internet Protocol address; and

the processing comprises sending a message comprising a media access control address of the access point in response to the address resolution protocol message.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein:

the first Internet Protocol interface is associated with a first packet path through an operator network; and

the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with a second packet path that is not through the operator network.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the second packet is destined for a node on the local network.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the second packet is destined for a node that is accessible via an Internet connection of a local router for the local network.

53. The method of claim 47, wherein:

the first packet is sent via a first stream that is terminated at the operator network; and

the second packet is sent via a second stream that is terminated at the access point.

54. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

sending a request to a local router to obtain the local network Internet Protocol address for the access terminal; and

sending the local network Internet Protocol address to the access terminal.

55. The method of claim 47, wherein the access point is a femto node.

56. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a packet processor configured to receive a first packet and a second packet from an access terminal at an access point, wherein the first packet is associated with a first Internet Protocol interface, the second packet is associated with a second Internet Protocol interface, and the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with an Internet Protocol address assigned to the access terminal for a local network; and

a local packet proxy configured to intercept a packet directed to the local network Internet Protocol address, and further configured to process the intercepted packet on behalf of the access terminal.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processing comprises routing the intercepted packet to the access terminal.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein:

the intercepted packet comprises an address resolution protocol message directed to the local network Internet Protocol address; and

the processing comprises sending a message comprising a media access control address of the access point in response to the address resolution protocol message.

59. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein:

the first Internet Protocol interface is associated with a first packet path through an operator network; and

the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with a second packet path that is not through the operator network.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the second packet is destined for a node on the local network.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the second packet is destined for a node that is accessible via an Internet connection of a local router for the local network.

62. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein:

the first packet is sent via a first stream that is terminated at the operator network; and

the second packet is sent via a second stream that is terminated at the access point.

63. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving a first packet and a second packet from an access terminal at an access point, wherein the first packet is associated with a first Internet Protocol interface, the second packet is associated with a second Internet Protocol interface, and the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with an Internet Protocol address assigned to the access terminal for a local network; and

a local packet proxy means for intercepting a packet directed to the local network Internet Protocol address, and for processing the intercepted packet on behalf of the access terminal.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the processing comprises routing the intercepted packet to the access terminal.

65. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein:

the intercepted packet comprises an address resolution protocol message directed to the local network Internet Protocol address; and

the processing comprises sending a message comprising a media access control address of the access point in response to the address resolution protocol message.

66. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein:

the first Internet Protocol interface is associated with a first packet path through an operator network; and

the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with a second packet path that is not through the operator network.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the second packet is destined for a node on the local network.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the second packet is destined for a node that is accessible via an Internet connection of a local router for the local network.

69. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein:

the first packet is sent via a first stream that is terminated at the operator network; and

the second packet is sent via a second stream that is terminated at the access point.

70. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

receive a first packet and a second packet from an access terminal at an access point, wherein the first packet is associated with a first Internet Protocol interface, the second packet is associated with a second Internet Protocol interface, and the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with an Internet Protocol address assigned to the access terminal for a local network;

intercept a packet directed to the local network Internet Protocol address; and

process the intercepted packet on behalf of the access terminal.

71. The computer-program product of claim 70, wherein the processing comprises routing the intercepted packet to the access terminal.

72. The computer-program product of claim 70, wherein:

the intercepted packet comprises an address resolution protocol message directed to the local network Internet Protocol address; and

the processing comprises sending a message comprising a media access control address of the access point in response to the address resolution protocol message.

73. The computer-program product of claim 70, wherein:

the first Internet Protocol interface is associated with a first packet path through an operator network; and

the second Internet Protocol interface is associated with a second packet path that is not through the operator network.

74. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving a packet from an access terminal at an access point; and

determining whether to perform a network address translation for the packet at the access point based on a destination of the packet.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the determination comprises determining a destination address of the packet and policy associated with an operator network.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the destination is accessed via a first path through an operator network or via a second path through a local network that is not through the operator network.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the network address translation comprises substituting a network Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for an operator network with a local Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for the local network.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the access point:

requests the local Internet Protocol source address from a local router associated with the local network; and

responds to an address resolution protocol message directed to the local Internet Protocol source address with a message including a media access control address of the access point.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the local Internet Protocol source address comprises an Internet Protocol address of the access point and a port assigned to the access terminal by the access point.

80. The method of claim 74, wherein the access point performs the network address translation if the access point determines that the packet is not to be sent via a protocol tunnel to an operator network.

81. The method of claim 74, wherein:

the access point is on a local network; and

the access point performs the network address translation if the destination is on the local network.

82. The method of claim 74, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the access point performs the network address translation if the destination is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

83. The method of claim 74, wherein the access point is a femto node.

84. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a packet processor configured to receive a packet from an access terminal at an access point; and

a network address translation controller configured to determine whether to perform a network address translation for the packet at the access point based on a destination of the packet.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the destination is accessed via a first path through an operator network or via a second path through a local network that is not through the operator network.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the network address translation comprises substituting a network Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for an operator network with a local Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for the local network.

87. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the access point performs the network address translation if the access point determines that the packet is not to be sent via a protocol tunnel to an operator network.

88. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein:

the access point is on a local network; and

the access point performs the network address translation if the destination is on the local network.

89. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the access point performs the network address translation if the destination is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

90. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving a packet from an access terminal at an access point; and

means for determining whether to perform a network address translation for the packet at the access point based on a destination of the packet.

91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the destination is accessed via a first path through an operator network or via a second path through a local network that is not through the operator network.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the network address translation comprises substituting a network Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for an operator network with a local Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for the local network.

93. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the access point performs the network address translation if the access point determines that the packet is not to be sent via a protocol tunnel to an operator network.

94. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein:

the access point is on a local network; and

the access point performs the network address translation if the destination is on the local network.

95. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein:

the access point is on a local network associated with a local router; and

the access point performs the network address translation if the destination is accessible via an Internet connection of the local router.

96. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

receive a packet from an access terminal at an access point; and

determine whether to perform a network address translation for the packet at the access point based on a destination of the packet.

97. The computer-program product of claim 96, wherein the determination comprises determining whether the destination is accessed via a first path through an operator network or via a second path through a local network that is not through the operator network.

98. The computer-program product of claim 96, wherein the network address translation comprises substituting a network Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for an operator network with a local Internet Protocol source address assigned to the access terminal for the local network.